The early functional response of a bacterial community from the sediments of a chronically oil-polluted retention basin located at the Etang de Berre (France) was investigated just after petroleum addition. After removing hydrocarbon compounds by natural abiotic and biotic processes, the sediments were maintained in microcosms and Vic Bilh petroleum was added. The diversity and the expression of genes encoding ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases (RHD) were examined just after the petroleum addition until 14 days focussing on the first hours following the contamination. RHD gene copy numbers and diversity were maintained throughout all the incubation period; however, transcripts were detected only during the first 2 days. One dominant RHD gene, immediately and specifically expressed in response to petroleum contamination, was related to RHD gene carried by a plasmid found in Pseudomonas spp. The expression of the RHD genes was correlated with high biodegradation levels observed for low molecular weight PAHs at 7 days of incubation. The study shows that the bacterial metabolism induced just after the oil input is a key stage that could determine the bacterial community structure changes. Monitoring the expression of RHD genes, key genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation, may provide useful information for managing bioremediation processes. © 2012 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.